Commuters’ Exposure to Particulate Matter Air Pollution Is Affected by Mode of Transport, Fuel Type, and Route

Background: Commuters are exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants, but little quantitative information is currently available on differences in exposure between different modes of transport, routes, and fuel types.Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess differences in commuters' exposure to traffic-related air pollution related to transport mode, route, and fuel type.Methods: We measured particle number counts (PNCs) and concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matte

Метаморфозы философской иронии: от Сократа к постмодерну

В статье исследуется генезис иронии как специфического метода философствования в контексте смены социокультурных парадигм. Показана связь между конкретно-историческими условиями развития философских идей и характером и направленностью иронизирования. Выявляются эвристическая, гносеологическая, аналитическая, медиационная и другие функции иронии в философском дискурсе.У статті досліджується генезис іронії як специфічного методу філософування в контексті зміни соціокультурних парадигм. Показано зв’язок між конкретно-історичними умовами розвитку філософських ідей і характером й спрямованістю іронізування. Виявляються евристична, гносеологічна, аналітична, медіаційна та інші функції іронії у філософському дискурсі.In the article genesis of irony is probed as a specific method of philosophizing in the context of changing of sociocultural paradigms. Intercommunication is shown between the concretely-historical terms of development of philosophical ideas and character and orientation of mocking. The heuristic, gnosiological, critical, analytical, mediational function of irony in philosophical discourse are revealed

Феномен танца как объект философской рефлексии: ключевые проблемы и основные вопросы

Цель исследования – выявить важнейшие философские проблемы, связанные с постижением феномена танца во всем его многообразии

Beyond the Runway: Respiratory health effects of ultrafine particles from aviation in children

Aviation has been shown to cause high particle number concentrations (PNC) in areas surrounding major airports. Particle size distribution and composition differ from motorized traffic. The objective was to study short-term effects of aviation-related UFP on respiratory health in children. In 2017–2018 a study was conducted in a school panel of 7–11 year old children (n = 161) living North and South of Schiphol Airport. Weekly supervised spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) measurements were executed. The school panel, and an additional group of asthmatic children (n = 19), performed daily spirometry tests at home and recorded respiratory symptoms. Hourly concentrations of various size fractions of PNC and black carbon (BC) were measured at three school yards. Concentrations of aviation-related particles were estimated at the residential addresses using a dispersion model. Linear and logistic mixed models were used to investigate associations between daily air pollutant concentrations and respiratory health. PNC20, a proxy for aviation-related UFP, was virtually uncorrelated with BC and PNC50-100 (reflecting primarily motorized traffic), supporting the feasibility of separating PNC from aviation and other combustion sources. No consistent associations were found between various pollutants and supervised spirometry and eNO. Major air pollutants were significantly associated with an increase in various respiratory symptoms. Odds Ratios for previous day PNC20 per 3,598pt/cm3 were 1.13 (95%CI 1.02; 1.24) for bronchodilator use and 1.14 (95%CI 1.03; 1.26) for wheeze. Modelled aviation-related UFP at the residential addresses was also positively associated with these symptoms, corroborating the PNC20 findings. PNC20 was not associated with daily lung function, but PNC50-100 and BC were negatively associated with FEV1. PNC of different sizes indicative of aviation and other combustion sources were independently associated with an increase of respiratory symptoms and bronchodilator use in children living near a major airport. No consistent associations between aviation-related UFP with lung function was observed

Early-Life Determinants of Total and HDL Cholesterol Concentrations in 8-Year-Old Children; The PIAMA Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Adult cholesterol concentrations might be influenced by early-life factors, such as breastfeeding and birth weight, referred to as "early programming". How such early factors exert their influence over the life course is still poorly understood. Evidence from studies in children and adolescents is scarce and conflicting. We investigated the influence of 6 different perinatal risk factors on childhood total and HDL cholesterol concentrations and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio measured at 8 years of age, and additionally we studied the role of the child's current Body Mass Index (BMI). METHODS: Anthropometric measures and blood plasma samples were collected during a medical examination in 751 8-year-old children participating in the prospective Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) birth cohort study. Linear and logistic regression were performed to estimate associations of total and HDL cholesterol concentrations with breastfeeding, birth weight, infant weight gain, maternal overweight before pregnancy, gestational diabetes and maternal smoking during pregnancy, taking into account the child's current BMI. RESULTS: Linear regressions showed an association between total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio and maternal pre-pregnancy overweight (β = 0.15, Confidence Interval 95% (CI): 0.02, 0.28), rapid infant weight gain (β = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.26), and maternal smoking during pregnancy (β = 0.14, 95%CI: 0.00, 0.29). These associations were partly mediated by the child's BMI. CONCLUSION: Total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio in 8-year-old children was positively associated with maternal pre-pregnancy overweight, maternal smoking during pregnancy and rapid infant weight gain

Short-term associations between barbecue fumes and respiratory health in young adults

Background: Epidemiological studies have associated biomass combustion with (respiratory) morbidity and mortality, primarily in indoor settings. Barbecuing results in high outdoor air pollution exposures, but the health effects are unknown. Objective: The objective was to investigate short-term changes in respiratory health in healthy adults, associated with exposure to barbecue fumes. Methods: 16 healthy, adult volunteers were exposed to barbecue smoke in outdoor air in rest during 1.5 h, using a repeated-measures design. Major air pollutants were monitored on-site, including particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), particle number concentrations (PNC) and black- and brown carbon. At the same place and time-of-day, subjects participated in a control session, during which they were not exposed to barbecue smoke. Before and immediately after all sessions lung function was measured. Before, immediately after, 4- and 18 h post-sessions nasal expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) were determined in nasal swabs, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Associations between major air pollutants, lung function and inflammatory markers were assessed using mixed linear regression models. Results: High PM2.5 levels and PNCs were observed during barbecue sessions, with averages ranging from 553 to 1062 μg/m3 and 109,000–463,000 pt/cm3, respectively. Average black- and brown carbon levels ranged between 4.1-13.0 and 5.0–16.2 μg/m3. A 1000 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 2.37 (0.97, 4.67) and 2.21 (0.98, 5.00) times higher expression of IL8, immediately- and 18 h after exposure. No associations were found between air pollutants and lung function, or the expression of IL6 or TNFα. Discussion: Short-term exposure to air pollutants emitted from barbecuing was associated with a mild respiratory response in healthy young adults, including prolonged increase in nasal IL8 without a change in lung function and other measured inflammatory markers. The results might indicate prolonged respiratory inflammation, due to short-term exposure to barbecue fumes

Short-term associations between barbecue fumes and respiratory health in young adults

Background: Epidemiological studies have associated biomass combustion with (respiratory) morbidity and mortality, primarily in indoor settings. Barbecuing results in high outdoor air pollution exposures, but the health effects are unknown. Objective: The objective was to investigate short-term changes in respiratory health in healthy adults, associated with exposure to barbecue fumes. Methods: 16 healthy, adult volunteers were exposed to barbecue smoke in outdoor air in rest during 1.5 h, using a repeated-measures design. Major air pollutants were monitored on-site, including particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), particle number concentrations (PNC) and black- and brown carbon. At the same place and time-of-day, subjects participated in a control session, during which they were not exposed to barbecue smoke. Before and immediately after all sessions lung function was measured. Before, immediately after, 4- and 18 h post-sessions nasal expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) were determined in nasal swabs, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Associations between major air pollutants, lung function and inflammatory markers were assessed using mixed linear regression models. Results: High PM2.5 levels and PNCs were observed during barbecue sessions, with averages ranging from 553 to 1062 μg/m3 and 109,000–463,000 pt/cm3, respectively. Average black- and brown carbon levels ranged between 4.1-13.0 and 5.0–16.2 μg/m3. A 1000 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 2.37 (0.97, 4.67) and 2.21 (0.98, 5.00) times higher expression of IL8, immediately- and 18 h after exposure. No associations were found between air pollutants and lung function, or the expression of IL6 or TNFα. Discussion: Short-term exposure to air pollutants emitted from barbecuing was associated with a mild respiratory response in healthy young adults, including prolonged increase in nasal IL8 without a change in lung function and other measured inflammatory markers. The results might indicate prolonged respiratory inflammation, due to short-term exposure to barbecue fumes